When children know what to expect at a routine visit to the doctor, they are more confident, less fearful, and better prepared. Children’s books are a wonderful way to provide age appropriate information and reassurance, and set the stage for a positive experience.

As a child development specialist, I knew right away that the gorilla costume would become part of family lore. Two year olds are often frightened by masks and things that don’t make sense to them – like the giant Mickey Mouse at Disney World, or the happily made-up clown at the circus.

At Weiss Pediatric Care, we want you to have all the latest information about Ebola and enterovirus so that you can calm your own fears, and talk to your children in ways that are age-appropriate and that minimize worry.

Don’t miss Forty Carrots Family Center’s 12th Annual Free Community Speaker Event on October 9th featuring Dr. Edward Hallowell, nationally recognized child expert and author. Dr. Hallowell will present The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness. Dr. Weiss and Diane will be there and we hope to see you there! Be sure to register early as space is limited.

Helping children understand the importance of honesty – and how lying, cheating or stealing can damage your credibility and friendships – is not a lesson that can be learned in one day, one month or one year – it has to sink in gradually, with ongoing parental guidance, as a child matures and faces ethical questions and dilemmas.

Here are a handful of strategies we recommend to help your child develop a better understanding of truthfulness:

You see it happening all the time – a parent steps away for a moment to take a quick call, return a friend’s text, double check a fact or piece of trivia online – all just a glance and finger … Continued